Monterey Bay
Monterey Peninsula · near Monterey / Moss Landing · Central Coast
Wildlife Watching
At a glance
- Best season
- Year-round; humpbacks Apr–Nov, gray whales Dec–Apr, blue whales summer
- Open year round
- Yes
What is here
- Wildlife
- whales · seals-otters · birds
- Species
- Humpback, blue & gray whales, orcas, dolphins, sea otters, sea lions
- Amenities
- World-class whale-watching fleet · Year-round cetacean variety · Sea otters in the harbor · Naturalist-led trips
- Best for
- The best whale watching in California
- Features
- Deep canyon brings whales close · Humpbacks, blues & orcas · Year-round action · Easy half-day trips
Worth knowing
- Hazards
- Seasickness on the open bay · Cold wind & spray · Choppy afternoons (go morning) · Keep required distance from whales
- Good for a first timer
- Yes
Wildlife Watching detail
- Viewing
- boat
- Effort
- easy
- Habitat
- bay-estuary
- Sighting
- 5
- Viewing notes
- California's premier whale-watching destination — a deep submarine canyon brings humpbacks, blue whales, orcas, and dolphins astonishingly close, year-round, on easy half-day trips
- Intl tip
- California's premier whale-watching destination — and one of the world's best. The deep Monterey Submarine Canyon just offshore funnels prey close to shore, bringing humpbacks (spring–fall), gray whales (winter/spring), summer blue whales, orcas, and dolphins year-round, plus sea otters and sea lions. Easy half-day naturalist trips from the wharf and Moss Landing — accessible and family-friendly. Bring warm layers, go in the calmer morning, take seasickness precautions if prone. Unmatched reliability and variety.
The guide
Monterey Bay is, quite simply, the premier whale-watching destination in California — and one of the best in the world. The sec…
In the Guidebook
Everything above is yours for free. The written guide to Monterey Bay — what it is actually like, and what we would tell a friend before they went — comes with the Guidebook.
Getting there
- Coordinates
- 36.8, -121.9